| "She's a Woman" | ||||
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 US picture sleeve (reverse) | ||||
| Single by the Beatles | ||||
| A-side | "I Feel Fine" | |||
| Released |
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| Recorded | 8 October 1964 | |||
| Studio | EMI, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:00 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | Lennon–McCartney | |||
| Producer(s) | George Martin | |||
| The Beatles US singles chronology | ||||
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| The Beatles UK singles chronology | ||||
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"She's a Woman" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released on a non-album single in November 1964 as the B-side to "I Feel Fine", except in North America, where it also appeared on the album Beatles '65, released in December 1964. Though it was the B-side, it charted in the US, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Cash Box Top 100. The song originated in McCartney's attempt to write a song in the style of Little Richard. The lyrics include the first reference to drugs in a Beatles song, with the line "turn(s) me on" referring to marijuana.[1]
The Beatles recorded "She's a Woman" in October 1964, during the sessions for their album Beatles for Sale. McCartney composed it quickly, writing much of the song at EMI Recording Studios shortly before recording. With a sparse arrangement, John Lennon's rhythm guitar hits on the offbeats, allowing room for the bass to be the centre of the recording. McCartney's prominent bass was to that point the loudest heard on a Beatles recording, anticipating his high-profile bass lines in later songs. His vocal extends near the top of his register, heard especially as he strains near the song's opening. The song has subsequently appeared on compilation albums such as the UK edition of Rarities; Past Masters, Volume One and Mono Masters.
"She's a Woman" has received praise from several music critics and musicologists for McCartney's strong vocal and the band's loud backing, though some have criticised its lyrics as weak. In addition to recording the song twice for BBC radio, the Beatles regularly performed the song during their 1965 and 1966 tours. An August 1965 performance appeared on the 1977 live album The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl while one from June 1966 was included on the 1996 compilation Anthology 2. In his post-Beatles career, McCartney has occasionally performed the song in concert, including an acoustic version that appeared on his 1991 live album Unplugged (The Official Bootleg). Charles River Valley Boys, Jeff Beck and Scritti Politti are among the artists who have covered the track.